Chicago Latina makes movies for community- gets distributed in North and South America

NEW CHICAGO-BASED LATINO FILM COMPANY MAKES A MOVIE WITH NEIGHBORS, GANGS AND STREET ARTISTS WINS AWARD AND SELLS FILM INTERNATIONALLY

“Adios Vaya Con Dios” is released worldwide on DVD and Video on Demand

CHICAGO – The award-winning feature film “Adios Vaya Con Dios” brings together groups often at odds with each other to tell the stories of everyday life in Chicago’s ganglands. The film was shot in urban businesses, neighborhood homes and churches in Aurora and Joliet with neighborhood locals and gang members who played roles in the film and were coached by the professional actors in the movie.

“Adios Vaya Con Dios,” the first film from Chicago-based Ave Fenix Pictures, will be released in Walmart, Best Buy and on HBO, Vudu, Xfinity/Comcast, Google Play, iTunes, Amazon and more. In addition, South America territories will receive it within the coming months.

It debuted in October 2014 as an official selection at the Bel-Air Film Festival, where it was awarded runner up for the Best Audience Feature Film Award and was nominated for best screenplay. In addition, Zachary Laoutides, who made the film with Ave Fenix Pictures partner Mónica Esmeralda León, wrote the movie and co-stars in it, received a best actor nomination.

A gritty urban thriller inspired by real events, “Adios Vaya Con Dios,” which means “Goodbye, go with God,” is the story of two friends in the world of Latino street gangs in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois, two towns located less than 40 miles from Chicago.

“The parents in the community are happy their kids are doing something creative and off the street,” said León. “I hope to be making more films about the problems Hispanics face using regular people and youth. I want to give them hope and an opportunity to tell their stories through film.”